License fee for musical shows, films increased

The license fee for public exhibitions such as films (local and foreign), stage dramas, musical and performing shows has been amended through a Gazette Extraordinary issued by the Ministry of Mass Media.

Shooting kills another youth in Negombo

A youth, who was injured in a shooting incident at Lellama in Negombo, succumbed to his injuries this afternoon while being treated at the Negombo Hospital, police said.

Migrant boat sinks in English Channel; one dead, 50 rescued

One person has died and five others are said to be in ’’serious’’ conditions after a boat carrying migrants sank in the English Channel.

SLTB flying squads disbanded for indulging in corruption

The flying squads of the state-run bus service the ‘Sri Lanka Transport Board‘ have been disbanded after their members were found guilty of corrupt practices despite being assigned primarily to curb such activities, an official said.

Impressive boost in remittances from Sri Lankan foreign workers

A total of USD 541 million in foreign exchange was sent to Sri Lanka boosting the remittances from Sri Lankan foreign workers, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.

Russia launches lunar mission in 50 years

Russia’s “Luna-25” space and lunar station has been launched successfully from Roscosmos’ Vostochny Cosmodrome, the Russian embassy announced .

Sri Lanka’s Covid-19 vaccine stock set to expire on August 24

The stock of Covid-19 vaccines available in Sri Lanka will expire on August 24, Daily Mirror learns.

Use pipe-borne water sparingly as dry weather continues: Water Board

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has informed the public to use pipe water sparingly due to the prevailing dry weather conditions.

Three Iranians fined Rs. 13.2 mn for collecting plant, animal parts in Sinharaja

The Udugama Magistrate’s Court imposed a fine of Rs. 13.2 million on three Iranian nationals who had collected plant and animal parts in the Sinharaja forest.

Lightning kills three fishing in Mihintale

Three persons were killed after being struck by lightning while they were fishing in the Thammenna Wewa in the Mihintale police area.

Tourism Minister urges unoccupied properties to be registered with SLTDA

In an effort to expand the accommodation offering, the Tourism Ministry urges the owners of unoccupied properties to open up their homes to tourists.

Govt. to engage private sector in setting up new universities

Amid the current human capital shortage, in particular the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates increasingly looking to migrate, the government said it has plans to establish a number of new universities and vocational training centres with greater participation of the private sector on an urgent basis.

Sri Lanka embassy in Moscow initiates direct employment opportunities in Russia for locals

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow has initiated direct employment opportunities for Sri Lankan skilled migrant workers in the Russian Federation, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA), a fully-owned state organisation in Sri Lanka.

Economic policies should link with human rights to protect women in debt repayment – Fmr. UN expert

Linking state economic policies in debt restructuring with human rights is important in easing the burden of repayment of the Sri Lankan working class, particularly its women as an urgent solution to the debt crisis was the opinion of a former UN Independent Expert on Debt and Human Rights.

Avishka paces Dambulla to seven-wicket win

While the Galle Titans continue to freefall, Dambulla Aura pressed on for a third consecutive victory in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) to take over top spot in the points table, for the time being at least, with a seven-wicket win over Galle on Friday.

Colombo Tea Auction sees improved demand for better teas after Iran barter agreement

Following improved activity from the shippers to Iran following the ‘Tea for Oil’ agreement, this week’s Colombo Tea Auction saw increased demand for the better teas in the High and Mid Grown sector and Low Grown Small

Total non-performing loans of all banks reach Rs 1.4 trillion

While revealing that the total value of non-performing loans of all 30 banks functioning in Sri Lanka currently is Rs 1.4 trillion, the State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya today assured that steps would safeguard the economy.

Bus accident in Turkey injures 27 Sri Lankans

Twenty-seven Sri Lankan individuals were injured in a bus accident in Turkey.

Eastern Governor halts Buddhist Temple construction to forestall communal violence

Governor of the Eastern Province, Senthil Thondaman, has announced that the decision to suspend the ongoing construction and clearing operations at the premises of Boralukanda Rajamaha Viharaya was made to prevent a potential communal conflict between two communities in the area.

SC dismisses another FR petition against Domestic Debt Restructuring

The Supreme Court today dismissed another Fundamental Rights petition that was filed against the inclusion of the EPF and ETF in the scope of domestic debt restructuring.

Private university students get more jobs than State university students: Susil

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said private university students have access to more job opportunities whereas State university students waste their time engaging in protests and ending up being unemployed.

SC dismisses contempt of court application against Chief Justice

A contempt of court application filed against incumbent Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya by Attorney-at-law Nagananda Kodituwakku was today dismissed by Supreme Court.

ISIS attack on army bus kills 23 Syrian soldiers

Gunmen have ambushed a bus carrying Syrian soldiers in the country’s east, killing at least 20 and wounding others, opposition activists have said.

Tamed elephant count will be limited to 11 by 2040: Diyawadana Nilame

There are only 94 elephants that can parade along streets on perahera processions in the country, and more than 60 of them are over 50 or 60 years old, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela of the Sri Dalada Maligawa said.

SriLankan Airlines seeks potential Gulf buyers and expansion

SriLankan Airlines should be a target for takeover by carriers in the Gulf once it is privatised, after making an operating profit for the first time in 15 years, its chief executive has told The National.

Defaulted installment vehicles can't be seized if owner objects: Minister

Banks and leasing companies can seize vehicles in the event of default in leasing installments only if the owner of the vehicle does not object to it, State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

House Arrest system proposed to alleviate Prison congestion

In response to the dire issue of prison overcrowding, the government is in the process of formulating laws to introduce a house arrest procedure, as revealed during a session in Parliament.

’’Heart to Heart: $12.8M Cancer medicine donation to Sri Lanka

Heart to Heart International, a global humanitarian organization, has donated $12.8 million worth of cancer medicines to Sri Lanka.

Bike ride expedition along Buddhist circuit from India to Colombo

Plans are afoot to organise a bike ride expedition along the Buddhist circuit from the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal, through the sacred places of Buddhist worship in India to Colombo.

Uproar in Parliament over Speaker’s ruling on judiciary

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today dismissed the request made by Opposition MPs to withdraw his ruling given on the domestic debt restructuring programme (DDR) despite the uproar created by them.